Lease, Debbie Sue 1951-2003

LEASE, DEUR, CASE, PETERSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/25/2013 at 09:03:54

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
July 7, 2003

DEBBIE LEASE

Debbie Deur Lease, 52, of Grinnell died at home on Wednesday, July 2, of ovarian cancer.

A memorial celebration is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, at the Grinnell Christian Church under the direction of the Rev. John Epperson. No visitation is scheduled; interment will take place at a future date in Hazewlwood Cemetery.

Born at Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa, on April 18, 1951, Debbie Sue Deur was the second of three daughters in the Evonne and Robert J. Deur family. She attended Lake View-Auburn schools and graduated in 1969. After a brief time at Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Mo., she matriculated to Iowa State University in Ames, where she received her bachelor of science degree in home economics education in 1973.

During this time, she met Leo M. Lease. They were married Nov. 17, 1971. The couple moved to Grinnell in the spring of 1973. They had two sons, Lane and Lonn.

Debbie worked briefly at Poweshiek County Bank during 1973, then was employed in 1974 as a home economics teacher in the Grinnell-Newburg schools.

In 1987, she returned to Iowa State University and completed a master of science in education with emphasis in counseling in August 1988. As a school counselor, she pursued her passion until forced into early retirement by complications of ovarian caner in 2000. She worked with between 3,000 and 4,000 Grinnell youths during her tenure.

Her greatest joy was people and family, helping each person develop their personal potential. This created many intertwining families at home, at school, at church and within the community, all of whom benefited from her counsel and advice.

She participated in numerous social groups at all levels and was a member of Cross Country Quilters, Chapter NV of PEO, Phi Rho Lambda, American School Counselor Association and Professional Educators of Iowa.

She taught fourth grade Sunday school with her husband for the past 15 years.

She enjoyed the Sit & Knit group, women's bible study and Kerygms and had a special place in her heart for her Saturday morning S&B group.

She is survived by her husband and sons; two sisters, Bonnie Case of Rockwall, Texas, and Laurie Peterson of Tucson, Ariz.; and her father, who lives in Rowlett, Texas.